## ARMCHAIR CHARITY
Registered CIO - Charity no. 1164966
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2022- 2023
DONATIONS RECYCLED TO THE NEEDY FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS
During the year we received 825 free items of furniture, donated by the public, and delivered them free to 268 families and individuals, equivalent to over 3 items to one household helped every working day of the year. Referrals came from Worcester City Council, Citzens Advice Bureau, Housing Associatons, Health Visitors, Social Services Probaton and Worcester Municipal Charites.
__________________________________________________________
DON’T THROW IT AWAY – GIVE IT AWAY Others less fortunate need it
_________________________________________________
The furniture delivery addresses demonstrate clearly that the charity is providing a priority service to those areas in the City where families traditonally experience fnancial hardship:-
|WR4|Warndon,Brickfelds,Tolladine|89|
|---|---|---|
|WR1|CityCentre,Barbourne,Lowesmoor,Arboretum|67|
|WR5|Ronkswood,Wylds Lane,StanleyRd. etc.|42|
|WR2|Dines Green,St. Johns|48|
|WR3|Northwick,Bevere,Perdiswell,Claines|22|
|Total||268|
## VALUE FOR MONEY
- The Charity offers very good value for money. Each family/person helped, received on average 3.1 items, costing £43 each. A total cost of £130 (about the cost of a single bed) for 3.1 good pieces of 2[nd] hand furniture which would otherwise have been taken to a landfill site at great cost to the local community
ALL ENQUIRIES TO: Richard Hines, Manager Tel: 01905 - 456080 Email: info@armchairworcester.org.uk www.armchairworcester.org.uk
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|ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - 2022/2023|ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - 2022/2023|
|---|---|
|NAME OF THE CHARITY|The Armchair Trust CIO|
|CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER:|1164966|
|CHARITABLE TRUST DEED:|Adopted 27/09/1989. Registered with the|
||Charity Commission on 06/10/1989. Registered|
||as a CIO on 22/12/2015. Not amended since.|
|NAMES AND EMAILS OF TRUSTEES:|Schedule atached page 7|
|ANNUAL ACCOUNTS:|Independently Examined - atached page 8|
|ADDRESS:|Unit 6b, Checket’s Lane Trading Estate,|
||Worcester. WR3 7JW Tel: 01905 - 456080.|
|BANKERS:|Unity Trust, 4 The Square, 111 Broad St.,|
||Birmingham B15 1AR|
|SOLICITORS:|Hallmark Hulme LLP,|
||3-5 Sansome Place, Worcester, WR1 1UQ|
|INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:|Paul Grifth MBE|
## THE REGISTERED CHARITABLE OBJECTS OF ARMCHAIR
“To relieve generally, and individually, persons resident in Worcester City, who are in conditions of financial need, and hardship, by the provision of furniture and other household accessories, donated by the public, or acquired otherwise, which are calculated to reduce the need and hardship.
Armchair welcomes gifts of second-hand furniture and household items from the public, and recycles these items, free of charge, for re-use by needy individuals and families, referred to Armchair by Statutory and Voluntary Bodies.
## AREA OF BENEFIT
The area of benefit is "within 10 miles of Worcester City centre". Occasionally, gifts are collected from just outside the City but due to limited resources, the need to economise on fuel, and to achieve a low carbon footprint, all deliveries of household items are within the City boundary.
htp://armchairworcester.org.uk/
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## FINANCES – HISTORY OF THE FUNDING
In 1996 the National Lottery gave Armchair a very generous four-year revenue and capital grant enabling us to purchase the 50-year lease of a warehouse in 1996.
Armchair's finances between 1997 and 2008 from the main statutory referrers, i.e. the Primary Care Trust and the County Council Social Services Department were originally regular and apparently secure. However, in 2008 the County Council Adult Social Care Department ceased its funding entirely and the Primary Care Trust did the same in 2010 having already halved its grant in 2008.
In 2007/8 for the first-time limited financial assistance was received from the waste disposal authority and this continues. This was £1351.56 in 2022/2023.
This year we are most grateful to the following organisations and charities etc. for their continued major support and place on record our thanks to them for their generous donations in 2022–2023:-
Worcester Municipal Charites, Worcester City Council, Platorm Housing, Laslets Charity, The Eveson Trust, Six Masters, The Hopmarket, Worcester City Parish Relief in Need, Mary Hill, Grimley, Chris Cox, and Worcestershire CC Waste Disposal
In general terms, Armchair’s fnances are secure with regular grants from new and existing funders. The cash reserves are currently £33,019.82.
## TRANSPORT
Trustees agreed to set up a designated fund, to purchase a new van as required. This is essential to Armchair’s operation and without a van could not operate. Surplus funds raised in recent years have been allocated to this fund and the total in this designated fund is £25,000 (this has been increased due to the rise in inflation ). This will ensure that there are enough funds available for when the van needs replacing again. The current van is 14 years old but with low mileage so should be expected last for several more years, however it is essential to keep this fund in the event that a new van is required.
## STAFF
The Trustees employ two part time staff working mornings only, 9.30 am to 1.30pm to collect and deliver items and to take and respond to referrals of people in need.
## RESERVES
In accordance with the Charity Commission's S.O.R.P. the Trustees have assessed risks and arranged lifting training for staff. Insurance has been taken out for the major risks. A "reserves" policy of a minimum of 8 months' spending has been adopted as a prudent level given the general insecurity of long-term funding.
## WASTE DISPOSAL SUPPORT
Armchair collects and delivers about 3 vanloads of furniture every week. This represents about 150 van loads most of which would be tipped - costng c. £115.00 each representng about £17,250 in waste fees. The County Waste Disposal Section introduced a "Recycling Credit Scheme" which brought Armchair £1351 this financial year based on the weight of the 825 recycled items.
## STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT - ASSESSMENT OF CHARITABLE NEED
Armchairs referral form ensures the intended beneficiary has exhausted statutory entitlement before applying to Armchair. The Trustees ensure that the Charity supplements rather than supplants the work of the Statutory Services, especially the DWAS, and checks that all the beneficiaries are in receipt of means tested benefits or on similarly low incomes.
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## THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - ELECTION, COMPOSITION, INDUCTION AND TRAINING
There are 7 trustees (also the members) who replace vacancies as they occur. They are the Board or Management Committee who manage the Charity and authorise expenditure. Membership was drawn from representative groups from the local community. The following are represented: - Maggs Day Centre, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Platform Housing and Worcester Municipal Charities. The Manager and his assistant attend the Committee meetings but do not vote and withdraw if they have a pecuniary interest.
New trustees are inducted by being given the most recent Annual Report and Annual Accounts, the Charity's Constitution, a copy of the Charity Commission publication CC3 "The Essential Trustee - What You Need To Know", and by being invited to visit the furniture warehouse and talk to the staff.
The following Trustees retire by rotation at the GM - this year
Mr. David GEORGE Mr. Richard BOORN Mrs. Margaret JONES
In addition Mr Paul Edwards stands for formal election
Nominations may be proposed from the floor providing those nominated have already been appointed as members, duly approved by the Board.
## MEETINGS OF THE TRUSTEES
The Board Management Committee meets once every two months. The Trustees receive and consider a report from the Chair, and Manager who keeps the finance books. Minutes are taken and circulated. The Management Committee has the power to co-opt new Trustees and non-voting advisers. The independently examined accounts are approved by the Management Committee and then formally adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Trustees.
## ANNUAL MEETING
The meeting takes place once a year, on 17[th] May 2023 at 12.30 p.m. The meeting receives the trustees’ annual report and the independently examined accounts which are approved by the trustees.
## CHAIR’S REPORT
Mel Kirk reports as follows: We made a surplus of £ 16,638.38. This was mainly due to a 2 year grant provided by Worcester City Council
During the year a total of 825 household items was delivered to 268 families or individuals in need with, on average, 3.1 items. A complete breakdown of referrals and deliveries is set out from page 5.
My grateful thanks are due to Richard Hines ( who also manages finances ) and Mark Richardson , for another successful year’s hard work. Their commitment to providing help to those in need has shone through significantly, shown through their commitment to as far as possible continue to provide furniture to those in need, and ensure that they themselves and others remain safe.
I would also like to thank all trustees, all of whom have carried out their roles with care and commitment. The wide-ranging backgrounds of our trustees, their broad skills & experience, and the stability of the membership of our committee as a whole, provide a strong team which has ensured our survival and effectiveness during difficult times.
I would also like to than Paul Griffith MBE for his assessment of our accounts
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## FINANCE REPORT
Richard Hines reports as follows: This year there was income of £52918.41, expenditure of £36280.03 and a surplus of £16638.38. At the year end the charity’s assets had a book value of £88778.62 which includes the warehouse at £27500, the van at £4888.20, designated fund for new van of £25,000.00 and accumulated cash of £33019.82.
The Accounts have been independently examined free of charge by our independent examiner Paul Griffith to whom we are most grateful. A full copy of the accounts, including the Income and Expenditure for the year, the Balance Sheet at year end and the Examination Certificate is attached at page 9.
The Charity ofers very good value for money. Each family/person helped, received on average 3.1 items, costing £36 each. A total cost of £115 (about the cost of a single bed) for 3.1 good pieces of 2[nd] hand furniture which would otherwise have been taken to a landfill site at great cost to the local community
## ARMCHAIR MANAGER’S REPORT ON THE YEAR’S WORK - APRIL 2022 TO MARCH 2023
Richard Hines reports as follows: We have collected very careful statistics with the computer to help us demonstrate our worth to the Worcester community both in terms of meetng need and avoiding unnecessary waste. There were 268 referrals to which we have responded with 825 items delivered. All the donations have to be collected first, and we then deliver straight from the van to the waiting list.
## These are our delivery fgures for 2022/23 by postcode:
This demonstrates dramatically to our funders that we help needy people, many of them living in areas where families traditionally experience financial hardship.
|WR4|Warndon,Brickfelds,Tolladine|89|
|---|---|---|
|WR1|CityCentre,Barbourne,Lowesmoor,Arboretum|67|
|WR5|Ronkswood,Wylds Lane,StanleyRd. etc.|42|
|WR2|Dines Green,St. Johns|48|
|WR3|Northwick,Bevere,Perdiswell,Claines|22|
|Total||268|
## REFERRALS OF PEOPLE IN NEED TO ARMCHAIR 01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023
|STATUTORY AUTHORITIES|STATUTORY AUTHORITIES|VOLUNTARY SECTOR|VOLUNTARY SECTOR|
|---|---|---|---|
|Worcester City Council|62|Worcester Citzens Advice
Bureau|71|
|Social
Services
(inc.
childrens’ centres)|48|Maggs|11|
|Health Visitors|23|Community Care Project|11|
|Housing
Associatons
(Platorm,Citzen)|20|Onside Advocacy|4|
|Probaton Service|1|Cranstoun|4|
|||Headway|4|
|||Womens Aid|3|
|||Worcester Municipal
Charites|3|
|||Worcester Community
Trust|3|
|Total|154|Total|114|
|Grand total||268||
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## COLLECTION & DELIVERY OF DONATIONS BY ARMCHAIR 01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023
|Double Beds|65|Single Beds|77|
|---|---|---|---|
|Wardrobes|47|Chest of Drawers|154|
|Bedside Cabinets|89|DressingTables|2|
|Sofas|69|Armchairs|38|
|Sofa Beds|5|DiningTables|34|
|DiningChairs|127|Cofee Tables|39|
|TV Stands|26|Bookcases|5|
|Stools|7|Sideboards|1|
|Otomans|7|Bunk Beds|1|
|Computer Desk|1|Other|31|
|||Total|825|
## LANDLORDS OF DELIVERY ADDRESSES
|PLATFORM HOUSING|139|
|---|---|
|PRIVATE|30|
|CITIZEN|28|
|WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES|21|
|CABWHABAC|26|
|SANCTUARY HOUSING|16|
|ROOFTOP HOUSING|5|
|Nexus|1|
|Orbit|1|
|COMMUNITY CARE PROJECT|1|
|TOTAL|268|
NAMES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES OF TRUSTEES AND STAFF - 2022/23
TRUSTEES E MAIL ADDRESS
Mel Kirk (Chair) Email: mkirk@maggsdaycentre.co.uk Margaret Jones (Vice Chair) Email: jones1res@btnternet.com David George Email: david.george@cabwhabac.org.uk Sue Osborne Email: smosborne46@gmail.com Alan Purchon Email: apurchon1@gmail.com Richard Boorne Email: sales@bondtech.uk.com Paul Edwards Email: Paul.Edwards@platormhg.com
STAFF MEMBERS: Richard Hines * Email: info@armchairworcester.org.uk Manager Mark Richardson* Email: info@armchairworcester.org.uk Assistant Manager
* Non-voting members of the Management Committee
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## ARMCHAIR INCOME AND EXPENDITURE O1/04/2022 - 31/03/2023
|INCOME
WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES
WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL
PLATFORM HOUSING
LASLETT’S CHARITY
EVESON CHARITABLE TRUST
SIX MASTERS CHARITY
THE HOPMARKET
WORCESTER CITY PARISH RELIEF IN NEED
MARY HILL TRUST
GRIMLEY
MR CHRIS COX
WORCESTERSHIRE C C RECYCLING CREDIT
EXPENDITURE
WAGES
NEST PENSION EMPLOYERS CONTIBUTION
INLAND REVENUE
VAN FUEL
VAN SERVICING & REPAIRS
SEVERN TRENT
STATIONERY AND OFFICE MATERIALS
TELEPHONE
FURNITURE STORE INSURANCE
VAN ROAD TAX
ELECTRICITY
VAN INSURANCE
BANK CHARGES
SUNDRIES
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR|16,640.00
15,000.00
5,000.00
3,506.85
3,500.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
800.00
500.00
500.00
120.00
1,351.56
TOTAL INCOME
:
£52
,918.41
25,682.71
1,290.72
3,624.08
720.87
717.87
214.85
128.25
668.40
1,564.69
290.00
269.43
776.16
72.00
260.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURE:
£36
,280.03
EXCESS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE:
£16
,638.38|
|---|---|
|BALANCES AND BANK RECONCILIATION||
|---|---|
|Date Income
Expenditure|Balance|
|31/3/23
£52,918.41||
|£36,280.03||
|£16,638.38||
|Brought forward current A/C 2021/2022|41,381.44|
|Surplus 2022/2023|£16,638.38|
|Unity Current A/C|41381.44|
|Un-banked Income|-|
|Un-presented cheques|-|
|Accumulated cash|£33
,019.82|
|FIXED ASSETS||
|Warehouse (purchase price 1997) (50 year lease)|55,000.00|
|Depreciaton 1997 - 2023 = 25 Yrs @ £1,100|27,500.00|
|Value at year end|£27
,500.00
|
|Van (purchase price Nov 2014)|16,294.00|
|Depreciaton 8 Yrs @ 1,629.40p.a.|13,035.20|
|Book value at year end|£3
,258.80|
|ACCUMULATED FUND||
|Cash|£33,019.82|
|Designated fund for purchase of new van when required|
£25,000.00|
|Van|£3,258.80|
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Warehouse Total Signed on behalf of the Board
£27,500.00 £88,778.62
MEL KIRK (Chair)
4[th] May, 2023
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